The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-02-03

NOuuOiluR III AAcHLy . CuOlCc.
Pertidious young man. He had al
ways said that the brunette style suited
him better than any other.
The color forsook Bells cheek, sighs
convulsed her bosom; moaning She
walked the room. for hers was q true
woman's nature, which could not easily
give up the man whom she had almost
! wOrshipped.
Finally Henry came.
She heard the door-bell ring, heard
his step upon the stairs.
She threw herself upon the lounge,
her heart beating wildly.
Meanwhile Henry. entering the apart
ment below, Mrs. Bronson gave him
the note.
"Bell is not well." said she; .'the
note probably is q request for you to ex-
cuse her this evening"
He opened the note. read it, and turn
ed as white as sheet.
These were its contents:
Mr.. Richards.-Al is over between U.S. Ask
your own heart why. Mine is breaking. Fare
well for ever. Say nothing to mamma; it
would distress her Bell"
Henry endeavored to compose him
self; but Mrs. Bronson had already de-
tected the startling change in his coun-
tenance.
"Is anything the matter?" she in
quired.
Bell can probably tell you; cannot.
Will YOU please ask her if she won't see
me only for few minutes. Tell her /
do not understand her note"
Mrs. Bronson did as requested but
Bell would not come down.
What is the usep" she said to herself.
"Did not see it all with my own eyes?"
Then her mother. winding her arms
round the neck of the afflicted one, kiss
ed her, and. smoothing her hair, said,
as she had been wont to do ever since
Bell was a child:
"Tell me, dearest. what it is?''
No, no, mammal sobbed the little
brunette; "some other tims-some other
timer'
Then she drew back, her white teeth
clenched.
Mamma, feel wicked! Oh, mamma,
could pull that light hair ever so
hardr'
At which terrible announcement she
again broke down, rending the air with
her sobs.
"Whose hair? Not mine, dearest, l
hope?" exclaimed Mrs. Bronson. whose
hair was growing light with age.
oh, no. no. no; indeed, my own
dear mammal cried Bell, covering the
grey hair with kisses. 1T is-it is-oh,
l will tell YOU some other time; but do
not breathe a word of this to himr'
Mrs. Bronson returned, looking
grave. to the apartment where Henry
stood waiting
MY child is ill, said She '.She de-
cidediy refuses to come down. Upon
my word, Mr.. Richards, do not un-
derstand it.
The young man departed. saying he
would call again.
He did SO next day, when the servant
answering his summons at the door put
another note in his hand:
mir. R,chards.-Pray, never come again
All Is over. will never see you again.
Richards now was indignant He
turned away proudly. making up his
mind that Bell. who would not even
tender an explanation, was hearlless
coquette.
A wealthy old acquaintance of her
mothers had wanted Bell for wife;
perhaps she had decided to accept him,
and discard her former lover.
Next day Bell, secretly watching the
cottage. saw the light-haired young wo-
man again enter it
Her grief had almost unsettled the
poor girls reason. Wrought up to
pitch of desperation. she decided to
cross over. enter Richards apartment,
and there confront him and his new ac-
quaintance-if, indeed, she was new
one
Her mother was absent-had gone to
visit a friend-otherwise she would
probably have reasoned Bell. who was
made almost insane by her agitation,
out of her intention.
Colorless. pale as death. her great
dark eyes beaming wildly. Bell entered
the cottage without ceremony, and con-
fronted Richards sitting at table con-
yersing in fbw voice with his visitor.
At sight of the wild but beautiful ap-
partition both sprsng to their feet. Rich
ards coloring deeply, while the other in
stantly dropped her veil.
Henry, false Henry! And you. base,
uuprincipled woman!" she began. when
the young man, rushing to her side,
seized her hand.
BE seated. Miss Bronson. For my
sake do not so excite yourself!'
Her eyes flashed reproach upon him.
She drew back.
THAT woman" she gasped, pointing
to the yelled figure. u saw it all. You
and She"
Here she broke down, her voice ohok-
ed with sobs.
Richards looked embarrassed, dis
tressed, and unhappy.
Il will explain at some other time.
This lady has merely called on busi-
ness"
NAY; do not think to deceive mel
walled Bell IL saw her kiss you. "
This deception shall go on no long
en-" said the voice of the yelled figure.
which was unmistakably hoarse,
So saying the speaker, throwing otl
veil, bonnet, and a wig of false hair.
revealed the face of q young man in
female dress.
Madame. my friend would lot be-
tray me, but | will not see you and him
so sorely distressed. am Tom Brace,
who, to avoid arrest for debt, have as
sumed this disguise. Henry gave me
his word that he wonld not tell any
person. His old hOusekeeper was the
only one beside himself in the secret,
she having been in the service OF my
mother, whom she loved. 1 have as
sumed this disguise until such time IA
Henry. with sum due to him. eau
lend me sufficient 10 satisfy my credi
tors. Had l known, however, that
should make this trouble between yor
and him. should never have accepted
his offer"
"And now," said Henry in a lov
voice to Bell. 'you may know why
wanted to put Of our wedding i va